Geelong has moved two games clear at the top of the AFL ladder after a gritty 27-point win over a determined St Kilda outfit at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
The Cats didn't have it all their own way, but simply packed too many punches for the Saints in what was a dour affair.
Geelong looked destined for a big win when it took a 14-point lead into quarter-time, but St Kilda kicked four goals to one in the second term to take a slender lead into the main break.
The Cats went up a gear in the third quarter, booting three goals, while keeping the Saints goalless.
Patrick Dangerfield (32 touches, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal) and Mitch Duncan (33 disposals, one goal) both won plenty of the ball for the Cats, and emerging key forward Esava Ratugolea (two goals) was a handful for St Kilda's defence.
Cam Guthrie also chimed in with two majors.
Star veteran Gary Ablett was troubled by a hip problem, but still managed a final quarter cameo that featured two goals in as many minutes.
"It was an interesting game tonight, we didn't play well in the first half," Ablett told Channel 7.
"We've really got to improve if we want to beat the top teams.
"I'm sore. I'm not 100 per cent sure (what it is), I had someone fall across my hip and it's feeling a bit sore, but I'll ice it up and I'm sure I'll be fine."
We are not worthy 🐐
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 13, 2019
(watch #AFLCatsSaints on 7) pic.twitter.com/pAYVrggla8
Josh Bruce both three two goals for the Saints and Ben Long added two.
Geelong (13-3) has a Round 18 date with arch-rivals Hawthorn at the MCG, while St Kilda (6-10) faces the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, with both matches on Sunday.
Full Score
Geelong: 4.4, 5.7, 8.8, 12.12 (84)
St Kilda: 2.2, 6.3, 6.7, 8.9 (57)
BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Duncan, Miers, Selwood, Stewart, Ablett
St Kilda: Marshall, Steele, Dunstan, Clark, Bruce, Gresham
GOALS
Geelong: Ratugolea, Ablett, Guthrie 2, Dangerfield, Miers, Duncan, Kelly, Atkins, Hawkins
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Long 2, Lone, Marshall, Acres